Novel isolate of Cysticercus tenuicollis-Kalar isolate has been revealed in Kalar, Iraq

Introduction: Although Cysticercus tenuicollis is one of the most economic and veterinary important parasite in Iraq, scanty molecular characterization exists for this helminth. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular description of C. tenuicollis isolates from sheep in Kalar district of Iraq. Methodology: A total of 2,906 slaughtered sheep were examined post-mortem. Up to 20 samples of C. tenuicollis was extracted and amplified using mitochondrial COX1 gene. Results: The overall prevalence rate was 6.88%, and female sheep recorded higher rate of infection (24.35%) than male (6.16%) with significant difference (p<0.05). The molecular results showed 14 haplotypes for COX1 gene and the pairwise nucleotide variation among them was ranged from 0.2 to 2.6%. Twelve out of fourteen haplotypes of C. tenuicollis involving one to three base mutations were discovered in Kalar, Iraq for the first time and this could be a unique mutation internationally and did not registered previously. Eleven newly recorded haplotypes involved only one single mutation and the remaining one involved three mutations. Phylogenetic interpretation showed that Cysticercus tenuicollis-Kalar isolate were clustered in one clade, and closely related to isolates discovered in Nigeria, China, Turkey, Poland, and Iran. Conclusions: This study provided a new record data on prevalence and discovered novel strains of C. tenuicollis in the study area for the first time named Cysticercus tenuicollis-Kalar isolate. Novel haplotypes might consider endemic genetic characterization of this metacestode. The present data may be useful to provide a good molecular background for future preventive and control programs.

Molecular description of meningeal solitary fibrous tumors/hemangiopericytomas compared to meningiomas: two completely separate entities

Introduction: Meningeal solitary fibrous tumors (SFT), like all SFT, are defined by NAB2-STAT6 fusion and share clinicopathologic similarities with meningiomas, the most frequent meningeal tumors. Our aim is to establish the molecular identity of meningeal SFT and seek molecular prognostic factors. Methods: RNA sequencing and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed in STAT6-positive SFT and grade 2–3 meningiomas, and data concerning other soft tissues tumors was obtained from the local database. Uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP), individual gene expression and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were performed. Results: RNA clustering shows that SFT share a common molecular signature, different from any other type of tumoral tissue. Meningeal SFT aggregate with other SFT, with no clinical or histological subgroup. Comparison of genes expressions suggests significant over-expressions of ZIC2, ZIC3, ZIC5, GABBR2, TP53 in CNS-SFT. The pathogenic TP53 c.743G > T variant, previously undescribed in SFT, was found in one sample of meningeal SFT during malignant progression. Conclusions: Meningeal SFT are molecular counterparts of extra-meningeal SFT, completely separate from meningiomas. They might develop from the same tissues and benefit from the same treatments as SFT.

Molecular identification of Sarcocystis funereus sp. nov. (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) in offspring of Tengmalm’s owls Aegolius funereus (Aves, Strigidae)

The spectrum of species of Sarcocystis in birds and the role of the latter in the transmission of coccidia are still incomplete for many avian species including Tengmalm’s owl Aegolius funereus (Linnaeus, 1758). Therefore, this study is focused on the morphological and molecular description of a new Sarcocystis species found in the intestine of the Tengmalm’s owl and its possible role as definitive host. Ten fledgling owls from the Kauhava region of west-central Finland were parasitized by numerous sporocysts and oocysts in the intestinal mucosa scrapings (prevalence 100%). Sporulated oocysts and sporocysts measured 16.34−16.96 × 11.47−12.09 µm and 11.85−13.52 × 7.77−9.25 µm, respectively. Skeletal and heart muscles were negative for sarcocysts. Sarcocystis funereus sp. nov. is closely related to Sarcocystis strixi from the barred owl (Strix varia Barton, 1799) from the USA and Sarcocystis sp. isolate 5 from the European shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic. This is the first and most comprehensive record on Sarcocystis from owls obtained in Finland, thus highlighting the importance of molecular data in the species identification.